International Space Missions
28 reportsData sharing agreements and mission governance connect the immediate finding with its wider evidence base. The account examines how costs are allocated and which agencies participate, distinguishing a planned capability from one verified after deployment.
NASA Invites India to Join Moon South Pole Base Collaboration
NASA has formally invited India to participate in developing a permanent lunar base near the Moon's south pole, marking a significant step in US-India deep-space cooperation and expanding the Artemis program's international partnerships
SpaceX Rocket Impact on Moon Raises Safety Questions for Lunar Missions
A SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage collided with the lunar surface near Einstein Crater, prompting new scrutiny of debris risks as lunar exploration and infrastructure expand
China Plans Lunar Base with Quadruped Robots for 2035 Deployment
China aims to deploy quadruped robots to support astronauts and conduct research at its planned International Lunar Research Station by 2035, raising questions about autonomy, safety, and human-robot collaboration in extreme environments
Japan's H3 Rocket Delivers Michibiki 7 Navigation Satellite to Orbit
Japan's H3 launch vehicle has successfully placed the 10,800-pound Michibiki 7 navigation satellite into geosynchronous orbit, marking a key step in expanding the nation's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System
Long March 7A Rocket Explodes 85 Seconds After Launch in China
A Long March 7A rocket carrying the Zhongxing-4B satellite exploded less than two minutes after liftoff from Wenchang, raising questions about the reliability of China's medium-lift launch vehicles and the impact on future missions
Luna 24's 1976 Moon Sample Return Marked End of Soviet Lunar Missions
On August 9, 1976, the Soviet Luna 24 probe launched from Baikonur, aiming to collect and return lunar soil. The mission's samples revealed traces of water and closed a chapter in robotic Moon exploration.
Landspace Schedules Second Zhuque-3 Rocket Landing Attempt for August 10
Chinese launch company Landspace plans a renewed attempt to recover its Zhuque-3 orbital rocket booster, targeting liftoff and powered landing from Jiuquan spaceport on August 10 following a previous failed recovery in 2025
NASA Astronauts Complete Spacewalk to Prepare ISS for Solar Array Upgrade
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon spent 6.5 hours outside the International Space Station installing the final mounting hardware for new roll-out solar arrays, a step toward boosting the station's power supply later this year
Automated Mini-Labs Expand Space Station Research With Less Crew Time
Redwire's ADvanced Space Experiment Processors (ADSEPs) are enabling the International Space Station to run complex biological and materials science experiments with minimal astronaut involvement, advancing pharmaceutical and fundamental research in microgravity
NASA Joins Artemis III Orion Crew and Service Modules for Lunar Mission
Technicians at Kennedy Space Center have integrated the Orion crew and service modules for Artemis III, a key milestone ahead of the mission to test lunar landing system rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit
Europa Clipper May Miss Ocean Water Rising Through Europa's Ice
Computer simulations suggest turbulent water rising through Europa's ice would freeze its pathways shut, making shallow surface pools poor indicators of the moon's buried ocean
Why Real Space Salvage Cannot Work Like Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Hardspace: Shipbreaker turns derelict spacecraft into profitable scrap, but ESA's ClearSpace-1 shows why real debris removal must avoid fragmentation, stabilize tumbling targets, and control reentry
Chinese Long March 3B Rocket Struck by Lightning Survives Launch
A Long March 3B rocket was hit by lightning seconds after liftoff from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, yet continued its ascent and successfully deployed a geostationary relay satellite to support China's Tiangong space station
Salyut 6 Space Station Deorbited After Five Years in Orbit
The Soviet Salyut 6 space station, operational since 1977, was deliberately deorbited on July 29, 1982, after supporting multiple long-duration missions and pioneering new space station technologies
Astrophotographer Captures ISS Passing Venus in Daylight Sky
A rare daylight image shows the International Space Station appearing close to Venus, recorded by AJ Smadi using a specialized telescope and camera setup in Washington state
Africa's BALLS Radio Array to Ride Chang'e 8 to Lunar South Pole
A trio of spherical radio astronomy probes from Africa is set to launch aboard China's Chang'e 8 lander in 2029, aiming to deploy at the moon's south pole and test low-frequency radio observations beyond Earth's atmospheric limits
NASA Astronaut Chris Williams Completes First ISS Mission After Eight Months
NASA astronaut Chris Williams has returned to Earth after spending eight months aboard the International Space Station, supporting scientific research and technology upgrades during Expedition 74
Virtual Reality Brings the International Space Station to Earth
A new VR experience, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, uses real footage and astronaut collaboration to simulate life aboard the International Space Station, offering the public an immersive look at orbital science and daily routines.
Soyuz MS-28 to Return NASA and Roscosmos Crew from ISS July 26
NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev are scheduled to depart the International Space Station aboard Soyuz MS-28, with landing expected in Kazakhstan on July 26
Expedition 74 Crew Begins Science Operations on International Space Station
Expedition 74 astronauts Anna Kikina, Pyotr Dubrov, and Anil Menon have joined the International Space Station, starting an eight-and-a-half-month mission focused on microgravity research and operational adaptation
NASA Astronaut Chris Williams Ends ISS Mission After Eight Months
Chris Williams is set to return from his first mission aboard the International Space Station, where he supported experiments on cancer therapies, semiconductor materials, and robotic systems during an eight-month stay
NISAR Satellite Data Reveals Antarctic Ice Fractures in Unprecedented Detail
NASA and ISRO have begun releasing data from the NISAR satellite's dual radar systems, offering researchers new insights into the movement and structure of Antarctic ice and other dynamic Earth surfaces
Optical Frequency Comb Operates in Orbit for First Time
A space-qualified optical frequency comb developed by QuantX Labs has been activated and verified in low Earth orbit, demonstrating key engineering benchmarks for future optical atomic clock payloads in space
Artemis II Crew's Moon Orbit Mission Highlights Human Connection
NASA's Artemis II mission sent four astronauts around the moon, sharing daily updates and personal moments that resonated globally during a period of international tension and uncertainty
Hayabusa2's Risky Asteroid Flyby Yields Unprecedented Close-Up Data
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft has captured detailed images and thermal data of the near-Earth asteroid Torifune after a high-speed flyby, following intense debate over the mission's safety and scientific value
Japan Tests RV-X Prototype in Step Toward Reusable Rocket Technology
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has conducted a 40-second test flight of its RV-X prototype, marking a significant milestone in the country's pursuit of reusable launch vehicles and advancing international collaboration in spaceflight engineering
Vikram-1 Set for India's First Private Orbital Rocket Launch
Skyroot Aerospace will attempt to launch Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital rocket, from Sriharikota on July 18. The mission aims to deliver multiple small payloads to low Earth orbit and test key launch systems
Soyuz MS-29 Launches NASA and Roscosmos Crew to Space Station
A Soyuz rocket has launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina to the International Space Station for a long-duration mission focused on scientific research